How to pair Chinese New Year foods like yusheng and bak kwa with booze

Photo: 123rf / thamkc 

Beer and brandy are not the only alcoholic drinks you can serve to add cheer to Chinese New Year feasts and visits.

Bourbon and bak kwa, for instance, are a great combination, says Proof & Company Spirits' "spirits evangelist" Jeremy Chua, 27.

Although scotch may be more commonly drunk, he says, the High West Campfire Whiskey (a blend of scotch, bourbon and rye) is a good introduction to bourbon and rye.

"Sweet, spicy, and smoky notes from the whiskey pair well with the sweetness of bak kwa," he says.

For the get-togethers to welcome the start of the Year of the Rooster, here are some ideas on how to pair spirits with popular dishes such as pen cai, yusheng and roast meats, as well as steamboat and steamed fish.

The recommendations are by Mr Chua; Mr Zachary de Git, 27, EC Proof spirits adviser and head bartender at Crackerjack in Tanjong Pagar Road; and Mr Ch'ng Poh Tiong, 61, wine consultant to NTUC FairPrice and Finest supermarkets and Yan restaurant at the National Gallery Singapore.

Also read: 7 cheap and good champagnes, prosecco and sparkling wines from $46

PEN CAI

Mr Jeremy Chua recommends: Gin and tonic

"Pen cai is a braised treasure pot of goodness, with layers of seafood and meat.

"With rich flavours that coat the tongue, a clean and bright Citadelle gin and tonic with fresh citrus will cut through the flavours, giving each bite a new experience."

Mr Ch'ng Poh Tiong recommends: Champagne or an Italian sparkling wine

"Depending on what ingredients you put in the dish, a white or red wine may be more suitable.

"So, if it is predominantly seafood, a white wine. If meat or mushroom dominates, then a red. However, a red tends to become metallic or taste fishy with seafood, particularly shellfish.

"Since it's the New Year, why not go for a bubbly such as Champagne Perrier Jouet Grand Brut or an Italian sparkling wine such as Bisol Desiderio Jeio, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene."

Also read: 5 refreshing gin & tonic punchbowl recipes for your house parties

YUSHENG

Mr Chua recommends: Tequila

"A valley-style tequila is usually earthy, smooth and slightly briny, and goes well with fish.

"Purasangre Tequila would be the perfect combination with yusheng. It not only cuts through the rich, sweet and sour flavours from the condiments, but also adds flavour and pairs really well with the raw fish."

Mr Ch'ng recommends: Aromatic and floral white wine

"Given the sweetness of the sauce, something fruity, off-dry or semi- sweet is recommended. But it must also be refreshing, as yusheng is the first course and you don't want to dull or satiate people's palates right at the start.

"An outstanding pairing is Prunotto Moscato d'Asti from Piedmont in the north of Italy. The white wine is grapey and also has a dash of natural carbon dioxide retained from the fermentation."

Also read: REVIEW: The 11 best yusheng of 2017 for Chinese New Year lo hei

BAK KWA

Mr Zachary de Git recommends: Mezcal

"Any Mezcal will work great with this snack, but try something earthy such as Derrumbes Michoacan Mezcal.

"The slightly savoury notes from the Mezcal work well with the sweet and savoury pork deliciousness."

Also read: REVIEW: 18 most delicious Chinese New Year snacks for 2017

ROAST MEATS

Mr de Git recommends: Bourbon

"A sweeter bourbon would go well with this, so try Michter's US*1 Small Batch Bourbon.

"The cereal notes work well with roasted meats and have the backbone to stand up to the rich flavour of roast pork belly."

Mr Ch'ng recommends: Light to full-bodied red wines

"Pork, chicken and duck are versatile with anything from a light to a full-bodied red.

"Depending on your inclination, anything from the light, elegantly fruity Hugel & Fils Pinot Noir Jubilee 1998 from Alsace to a medium- bodied and balanced Chateau HautBeausejour from the commune of Saint-Estephe in Bordeaux, to the full-bodied Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2013 from South Australia's Barossa Valley would work."

Also read: 6 steamboat and shabu shabu restaurants for your CNY meetups

STEAMED FISH

Mr Ch'ng recommends: Oaked white wine

"A medium- to full-bodied oaked white wine to take on all that Omega 3 in the oily fish, such as Shaw + Smith M3 Vineyard Chardonnay 2014."

STEAMBOAT

Mr de Git recommends: Gin and tonic

"Steamboat, albeit delicious, can be a hot and sticky situation. Something refreshing like a classic gin and tonic, such as Sipsmith London Dry with East Imperial Burma Tonic, will keep you going throughout the meal.

"The tonic will also help in digestion, allowing you to go for rounds two, three and four."

Spirits recommended by Mr Zachary de Git and Mr Jeremy Chua can be purchased online at ecproof.com or The Proof Flat, 43A HongKong Street (Mon to Sat, 11am-7pm). Wines are available at most wine merchants.

This article was first published in The Straits Times